May

Admiral George Dewey, native of Montpelier, Vermont, won the Battle of Manila Bay by destroying the Spanish fleet. When Dewey returned to America, he was greeted by the nation as the greatest living naval hero.

Henry Denison, legal advisor to several Japanese emperors, is born on this day in Guilford.

May 17, 1886

John Deere, a native of Rutland, developer of the self-scouring steel plow and founder of a farm machinery empire, dies in Moline, Illinois. His invention was known as the "plow that broke the plains," because it was used by farmers on the Great Plains.

May 23, 1796

Historian and naturalist Zadock Thompson is born in Bridgewater. He wrote history books and sold them cheaply so that all Vermonters could read them.

May 31, 1778

Ethan Allen returns to Vermont after being held prisoner by the British for nearly three years. Allen was caught when he tried unsuccessfully to capture Montreal.

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Paul Sample Mural Headed to VHS

VHS is excited to be working with the National Life Group to bring the mural "A Tribute to Vermont" by artist Paul Sample to its new home in the Vermont History Museum. Click here for more information.

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Visit a variety of historical locations in Vermont with Local22-Fox44 and VHS in our weekly "This Place in History" video series.